Human rights lawyer Ahmine Noureddine judicially harassed
On 28 May, the Criminal Court of Ghardaia acquitted Ahmine Noureddine. He was facing charges of “false communication” and “insulting a regulatory body” after filing a torture complaint against the police for the brutal beating of an individual resulting in their death in 2015.
Ahmine Noureddine is a human rights defender and lawyer who represents individuals in Ghardaïa Province, Algeria, including members of the Amazigh Ibadi religious minority community.
UPDATE: On 28 May, the Criminal Court of Ghardaia acquitted Ahmine Noureddine.
UPDATE: The human rights defender's hearing took place on 5 March 2018 and was adjourned to 28 May 2018.
Human rights lawyer Ahmine Noureddine is facing charges of “false communication” and “insulting a regulatory body” after filing a torture complaint against the police for the brutal beating of an individual resulting in their death in 2015.
In June 2015, violent clashes between the Amazigh Ibadi and the Maliki sect in Ghardaïa district south of Algiers resulted in the death of 48 people. Ahmine Noureddine filed a complaint against the security forces with Al-Agwat District Prosecution on behalf of the brother of an individual who was killed as a result of severe beatings by the security forces after they intervened in the clashes.
As a result of pressure by authorities, the complainant, the brother of the deceased, retracted the complaint and falsely stated that he had not asked Ahmine Noureddine to file the complaint on his behalf. He further stated that his brother was attacked by an unknown assailant.
In November 2017, Ahmine Noureddine was charged with “false communication” and “insulting a regulatory body” (the police) by the prosecution of the Ghardaïa court (case number 17/02569).
A hearing for the case of the human rights defender has been set for 5 February 2018 in the Ghardaïa District Court.
Front Line Defenders condemns the judicial harassment of human rights lawyer Ahmine Noureddine as it believes that it is solely motivated by his legitimate and peaceful work in defence of human rights;
Front Line Defenders urges the authorities in Algeria to:
1. Immediately drop all charges against Ahmine Noureddine;
2. Guarantee in all circumstances that human rights defenders in Algeria are able to carry out their legitimate human rights activities without fear of reprisals and free of all restrictions including judicial harassment.
